Are you looking for what to serve with pumpkin gnocchi?
This fall-favorite dish is hearty, comforting, and so delicious.
Pumpkin gnocchi can be made with store-bought or homemade gnocchi and is typically served in a creamy sauce with sage and Parmesan cheese.
But what side dishes go with pumpkin gnocchi?
The most popular sides to serve with pumpkin gnocchi are a green salad, roasted vegetables, or sautéed mushrooms. However, you can really pair it with any side that you think would taste good with pumpkin. If you want something more traditional, you could even serve it with a classic Italian dish like chicken parmesan or spaghetti and meatballs.
I’m sharing 12 of the best sides to serve with this fall favorite including roasted vegetables, salads, bread, and more.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Gnocchi?
Some common side dishes to serve with pumpkin gnocchi include a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or sauteed greens. For a heartier dish, you could also add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp. As for sauces, a classic brown butter and sage sauce pairs well with the fall flavors of the gnocchi, or you could go for a creamier option like a Alfredo or carbonara sauce.
Still looking for ideas?
Then just keep scrolling!
Here are 12 side dishes that go with pumpkin gnocchi:
1. Roasted Red Potatoes
Personally, I think these little pillows of pumpkin goodness are best served with a simple side of roasted red potatoes.
You can add whatever herbs and spices you like, but I usually keep it pretty simple with just some garlic, salt, and pepper.
If you want to get a little fancy, you could toss the potatoes with some fresh rosemary or thyme before roasting.
Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try roasting them in duck fat!
But no matter what, I think the key is to keep the side dish fairly simple so as not to overshadow the gnocchi.
2. Homemade Biscuits
Why not turn on the oven and make some homemade biscuits to go with your delicious pumpkin gnocchi?
They’re easy to make and only require a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Just mix up some flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter, and milk, and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
You can add some shredded cheese to the biscuit dough for extra flavor, or top the baked biscuits with a little bit of melted butter and chopped herbs.
3. Coleslaw
Yes, coleslaw isn’t just for a BBQ!
I love to serve it as a side dish with pumpkin gnocchi.
It’s the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity to offset the rich gnocchi.
And, it’s super easy to make.
- Simply mix together some shredded cabbage, diced apples, diced red onion, raisins, and a dressing of your choice (I like to use a mixture of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey).
- Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Easy peasy!
4. Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins
This side dish isn’t talked about much, but it’s a great way to add some flavor and interest to your meal.
I like to serve jalapeño cheddar corn muffins with pumpkin gnocchi.
The corn muffins are moist and have a little bit of heat from the jalapeños, while the cheddar adds a nice sharpness.
And, they’re easy to make!
- Just mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, eggs, butter, and cheddar cheese.
- Then fold in some chopped jalapeños.
- Bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes and you’re done!
5. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Sometimes the simple things are the best, and that’s definitely true when it comes to this cucumber tomato salad.
It’s the perfect light and refreshing side dish to serve with pumpkin gnocchi, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together.
I like to use English cucumbers because they don’t have any seeds, but you can definitely use regular cucumbers if that’s what you have on hand.
Just be sure to seed them before adding them to the salad.
As for the tomatoes, I like to use cherry tomatoes because they’re sweet and flavorful, but you can really use any type of tomato that you like.
If you want to get a little creative, you could add some chopped fresh herbs to the salad or even some crumbled feta cheese.
6. Crisp Smashed Potatoes
Want something crispy to go with your soft and pillowy gnocchi?
Try making smashed potatoes!
All you need to do is boil some small Yukon gold potatoes until they’re fork-tender.
Then, using the back of a fork or a potato masher, gently smash them so they’re flattened but still in one piece.
Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in a 400F oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
If you want to try something different, here are three variations:
- Substitute rosemary for the thyme and top with shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the olive oil before drizzling over the potatoes. Top with chopped chives before serving.
- Roast some garlic cloves along with the potatoes (wrap them in foil so they don’t burn). Once they’re roasted, mash them into the potatoes before seasoning with salt and pepper.
7. Oven-Roasted Asparagus
If simplicity is what you’re after, then oven-roasted asparagus is the way to go.
- Toss some asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, until crisp-tender.
If you want to get a little fancier, here are three variations:
- Roasted asparagus with Parmesan: Before roasting, sprinkle the asparagus with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Roasted asparagus with lemon: After roasting, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus.
- Roasted asparagus with balsamic vinegar: Before or after roasting, drizzle the asparagus with balsamic vinegar.
8. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
If you have a sweet tooth (or two) then you’ll love this side dish!
It’s simple to make, and only requires a few ingredients: carrots, brown sugar, butter, and salt.
- First, you’ll want to wash and trim your carrots.
- Then, you’ll need to cook them until they’re tender. You can do this by boiling them, steaming them, or roasting them in the oven.
- Once they’re cooked, it’s time to glaze them with the brown sugar mixture. To do this, simply combine the brown sugar, butter, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
- Then, brush the glaze over the carrots.
You can serve them immediately, or you can store them in the fridge for later.
9. Classic Macaroni Salad
Here’s a kid-friendly option that would be perfect as a side dish to pumpkin gnocchi: classic macaroni salad.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups diced celery
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 2 cups diced green bell pepper
Instructions:
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni and toss to coat.
- Stir in the celery, red onion, and green bell pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
10. Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta
If you don’t mind a little prep work, this spinach salad is the perfect complement to pumpkin gnocchi.
The sweetness of the apples and the creaminess of the feta balance out the earthiness of the spinach and the gnocchi, while the walnuts add a nice crunch.
And, if you want to change things up a bit, you could try substituting pears for the apples, almonds for the walnuts, or goat cheese for the feta.
Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you could try all three!
11. Spanish Rice
Spanish rice is super underrated if you ask me.
It’s the perfect side dish because it’s so versatile and goes with just about anything.
It also happens to be one of the easiest dishes to make.
All you need is some rice, a can of diced tomatoes, some garlic, and onion.
If you want to get fancy, you can add in some chicken or beef broth, or even some white wine.
Once everything is in the pot, just let it simmer until the rice is cooked through.
So easy, right?
Now, if you want to change things up a bit, here are three variations of Spanish rice that you could try:
- Spanish Rice with Chorizo: Add in some diced chorizo when you’re sautéing the garlic and onion. It will add a nice smoky flavor to the dish.
- Spanish Rice with Prawns: This is a great option if you want to make a quick and easy paella. Just add in some cooked prawns towards the end of cooking.
- Spanish Rice with Vegetables: This is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. Just add in some diced vegetables of your choice when you’re sautéing the garlic and onion.
12. Parmesan Orzo and Peas
How about a simple Parmesan orzo and peas?
Or, for something a little different, try one of these three variations:
- Orzo with roasted garlic and Parmesan: Omit the peas and add 1 head of roasted garlic.
- Orzo with sautéed mushrooms and Parmesan: Omit the peas and add 1/2 pound of sautéed mushrooms.
- Orzo with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan: Omit the peas and add 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes.
FAQ
What Sauce to Serve with Pumpkin Gnocchi?
There are many different types of sauces that go well with pumpkin gnocchi. If you want to keep it simple, you can just toss the gnocchi in some melted butter and sage leaves. For a more complex flavor, you can make a sauce with cream, pancetta, and Parmesan cheese. You could also try a tomato-based sauce, or even a sweet sauce made with maple syrup and cranberries.
Click here to learn more about what sauce to serve with pumpkin gnocchi.
What Meat Goes with Pumpkin Gnocchi?
When deciding what meat to serve with pumpkin gnocchi, you have many options. You can go for a classic like chicken or beef, or something more unique like pork or lamb. Other popular choices include sausage, bacon, and even seafood.
Click here to learn more about what meat goes with pumpkin gnocchi.
What Cheese Goes with Pumpkin Gnocchi?
There are many different types of cheese that go well with pumpkin gnocchi. Some of the most popular choices include Parmesan, Asiago, and Pecorino. These cheeses all have a strong flavor that can stand up to the rich taste of the pumpkin. If you want something a little bit lighter, you could also try ricotta or mozzarella.
Click here to learn more about what cheese goes with pumpkin gnocchi.
What to Put with Pumpkin Gnocchi?
Pumpkin gnocchi pairs well with sage, brown butter, and Parmesan cheese. You could also try it with a creamy sauce or a simple tomato sauce. If you want to add some protein to the dish, you could serve it with chicken or shrimp.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Gnocchi? (12 Easy Sides)
Ingredients
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Homemade Biscuits
- Coleslaw
- Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Crisp Smashed Potatoes
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta
- Spanish Rice
- Parmesan Orzo and Peas
Instructions
- Pick any of the sides from this list to serve with your gnocchi dish.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Enjoy in no time!